Rising toll of sex offenders revealed

SEX offenders registered in the county now number 230 according to the latest numbers.

The figure, which amounts to 34 per 100,000 of the population, is more than neighbouring Essex, which recently registered 24 sex offenders per 100,000.

The figures were put together for the first annual report of Suffolk's Multi-Agency Public Protection panel (MAPP).

New legislation requires police, probation and the council to team up to assess offenders according to the risk they pose and how far the public needs to be warned.

In the case of one unnamed woman, who formed a relationship with a high-risk sex offender, the panel disclosed details of her partner's deviant sexual history because it said he posed an "imminent risk of harm".

Six public protection officers have been appointed to assess all sex offenders and monitor them through regular home visits.

Offenders are categorised low, medium, high and very high risk. High-risk offenders pose an imminent risk to members of the public.

Anyone thought to pose a threat to the public will be monitored at a monthly meeting between police, probation and council care services.

The meeting reports to the assistant chief constable over whether the public, including schools, needs to be informed about a sex offender living in the area.

Assistant chief officer for probation Tim Sykes said: "We have to balance the human rights of the offender alongside the risk posed to the public. Schools are notified depending on if the risk is high."

Third parties, including schools will only be informed if a registered sex offender is living in its area if there is a "pressing need".

The MAPP report stated: "Disclosure to the third parties about personal information about offenders will be the exception rather than the rule."

In addition to registered sex offenders, another 154 violent offenders are listed in the county.